| What started out as a way for airmen in the | | | | driven by non-professionals, people just like you |
| 1950s to pass the time has turned into a popular | | | | or me, out for a good time and a lot of |
| worldwide sport for many. Go carts have quickly | | | | excitement. Because anyone can drive one, |
| become a phenomenon all over the globe. With | | | | regardless of their experience level, go carts have |
| most historians giving Art Ingels the credit for | | | | become extremely popular all over the world. |
| inventing the go cart, he built his very first one | | | | They can be found in just about every large city |
| back in 1956. But that first go cart was nothing | | | | either in family fun centers or other venues. |
| compared to the models we have today. Newer | | | | A go cart is made up of a chassis, motor, |
| more modern go carts can now travel 160 mph | | | | transmission, seat and 4 tires and a few other |
| or faster. Now that's amazing. | | | | odds and ends. As mentioned earlier they have no |
| This miniature Formula One racing machine is | | | | suspension. The chassis must provide the |
| referred to by a lot of names including go carts, | | | | stiffness and also enough flexibility to allow the |
| go karts, go-carts, shifter carts, gocarts, gokarts, | | | | cart to grip the road well on the straightaways as |
| enduro carts, and a number of other ways. But | | | | well as in the turns. The chassis can be either |
| one thing is for sure, getting behind the wheel of | | | | open or caged. The caged chassis allows |
| one of them is exciting. Go carts are related to | | | | protection for the driver in the event of a rollover |
| open-wheel Formula One or Indy Car racing. If | | | | while the open chassis does not. The cage |
| you've ever wanted to know what it feels like to | | | | performs a similar function as does a roll bar. |
| race a Formula 1 or Indy Car, while still being as | | | | Engines used in carting are typically either 2-stroke |
| safe as possible, go carts would be your best bet. | | | | or 4-stroke. They are made by manufacturers |
| And that's probably what Michael Schumacher, | | | | such as Honda or Briggs and Stratton among |
| Sarah Fisher, Darrell Waltrip, Tony Stewart and | | | | others. You would think that the 4-stroke engines |
| Kyle Petty all thought when they were kids. They | | | | would be more powerful than the 2-stroke |
| all started their racing careers in go carts. With | | | | engines, but that's not usually the case. |
| speeds as high as 160 mph these little machines | | | | If you have ever wondered how fast go carts |
| can travel as fast as the professional race car | | | | can travel you will be amazed at the top speeds. |
| drivers do on many of their tracks. | | | | Sprint carts can usually get up to about 60 mph |
| There are many different options available today | | | | while the more powerful enduro carts can reach a |
| for people that want an exciting vehicle to drive. | | | | top speed of about 90 mph. And if that's not fast |
| There are ATVs, dirt bikes, scooters, mopeds, go | | | | enough for you how about the shifter karts that |
| peds, mini bikes and motorcycles. But go carts | | | | reach top speeds of 160 mph or more. You heard |
| are the closest thing you will find to the thrill of | | | | right, that is not a misprint and these are certainly |
| Formula 1, NASCAR or Indy Car racing. They are | | | | not toys. Transmissions differ from cart to cart, |
| small open-wheeled vehicles with 4 wheels and no | | | | but the shifter carts use a manual transmission |
| suspension. Instead of a suspension they rely on | | | | with a clutch that allows the driver to get the |
| chassis flex. They are basically a smaller version | | | | most out of the motor. |
| of the professional open wheel race cars. | | | | It seems as though every part of the go cart |
| Many hopefuls who dream of one day racing at | | | | has become a separate entity, a specialized piece |
| the pro level will get their start in go carting. Go | | | | of equipment with different options available to |
| carts can be a stepping stone to professional | | | | the purchaser. And with regard to the tires they |
| Formula One or Indy Car racing. The reason is | | | | are certainly no exception. In dry weather slicks |
| that there are many different classes in go | | | | are used. They are smooth tires that grip the |
| carting. No matter what level of experience you | | | | road well. And as they heat up while driving they |
| have there is a class for you. And as you | | | | get even better traction. During wet weather |
| improve you can move up to increasingly higher | | | | tires with treads are needed. These are called rain |
| classes with greater competition. If you can get | | | | tires. And of course, how could any respectable |
| to the top in a go cart you may have what it | | | | driver racing on ice do without specialized spiked |
| takes for Formula 1 or Indy. | | | | tires? That's correct, there are even go cart |
| Professional racing is a very expensive sport. But | | | | races on ice in some parts of the world. |
| with go carts drivers can get involved on a | | | | With the many different levels available for |
| shoestring budget. It's a cheaper way to get | | | | drivers today anyone can race at a comfortable |
| involved with racing. Find out if you have what it | | | | level. And the sky is the limit to a talented driver. |
| takes without breaking the bank to do it. | | | | With a lot of practice, a bunch of talent and a little |
| But go carting is not only for the | | | | luck you might find yourself racing alongside Tony |
| professionally-minded drivers. Go carts are usually | | | | Stewart someday. It's certainly possible. |